BRITISH COLUMBIA’S PROGRESSIVE HOME

NEWSPAPER

FOR PEACE, PROGRESS AND DEMOCRACY

FULL No. 200

VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1938

Nigel Morgan

=O3) Blubber Bay issue, forciby
injected into the debate by
CCF members, continues as the out-
Standing theme of the debate in re-
ply to the throne speech.

Successfully competing with Lil-
looet’s George Murray, who dresses
like a Texas senator and talks like
a Maine Republican, and Trail’s R.
R. Burns, for honors of No. 1 Re
actionary, is the Pacific Linie Gom-
pany's “yes-man,” Mel Bryan. This
week he made a vehement attack
on labor organization and partic
ularly the union at Biubber Bay.
Bryan, who claims to be a union
man, made the remarkable state
ment, “There was no transgression
from the code for which the Pro-
winclal Police stood.” It is ironical
that miners in the Bridge River and
Trail and workers at Powell River
should be represented by three of
the most reactionary Liberals in the
province.

Bryan, whose political machine is
involved in departmental irregu-
jlaries, is believed by labor to be
ciosely associated with the vicious
anti-union cumpaipn. Faced with

eharses of brutality, attempted
bribery, drunkenness, and scab-
herding by government officials,

backed by affidavits produced by
CCE members, Bryan sought ex

cusses fer the- treatment Gi-workers+

at the Texada Island lime plant In
this way he not only condoned, but
expressed his support for the in-
justices which are rousing the pro-
tests of labor up and down the
coast. Bryan’: reactionary stand is
exposed by the fact that even At-
torney-General Gordon Wismer and
Premier Pattullo have admitted the
Situation is far from satisfactory
from the government viewpoint, al-
though they have not yet acted to
obtain justice for Pacific Lime Com-
pany employees.

e

S-SPEABER PERRY, member
for Fort George, who always
appears like a fish out of water in
the Liberal ranks, treated the leg-
islature to what might best be de-
scribed as a “speech of many col-
ors.’ Perry, one of the ablest par-
liamentarians to grace our legis-
lative chambers, and one who is re-
puted to have one of the best
socialist libraries in the province,

Stirred a curious brew.
While on one hand rising to the

defence of Chamberlain for “his
patience, restraint, and common
sense,” a minute later he was

warning the House against “the oli-
gBarchy of an executive trespassing
upon the democratic rights of the
legislature.”

“With the ever-growing tendency
of the executive to abrogate par-
liamentary sovereignty, and in the
inereasing delegation of judicial
functions to an encroaching bureau-
cracy, it is more than ever essen-
tial, if we are to retain our political
democracy, that every member, re-
gardiess of party in power, be on
guard to preserve what are our
rights and to fight and oppose this
Gligarcky of an executive,’ he de
elared.

; e

DDING a variation to the usu-

ally orthodox speeches from
government benches this week,
Captain Bull from South Okanagan
expressed a dispassionate belief
that a new monetary system was
the only solution to present day ills.
Believing that this change which is
coming, must be hbrougut demo-
cratically, he said he thoughi the
best mechanism would be a na-
tional system of social credit.

Thus, history was in the mak-
ing, the first booster for social
eredit appeared on the political
horizon in SBC’s legislature, and
from within the Liberal ranks.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Hitler’s “Fifth Column”
im Czechoslovakia - Page 2

In the House - - Page 4
Sports - - - - - Pages

Howard Costigan On
US Elections - - Page 6

a

|

the Sudeten areas of Czecho-

“liberate”
slovakia. But here is what is happening to Czech stores in the areas
wrested from Czechoslevakia by the Munich betrayal Im some WNazi-
occupied areas the Germans are in a minority, thousands of Czechs
having been doomed te existence under the Nazi tyranny.

The Nazis promised to

An Editorial
HALT JAPAN FASCISM
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Oakalla prisoners, led by single
jobless tincanners serving four
and six month terms, was still
in progress this week-end after
declared early Monday morn-
ing on the issue of overcrowd-
ing and poor quality of food.
As a result, the entire prison
population is in a state of unrest,
some 25 of the strikers have been
thrown into solitary confinement,
their clothes taken away and food
allowances cut down, while prison
privileges have been denied
others taking part,
some 275 in all.
Prison officials’ answer to the
men’s demand for better treat-
ment and release of all those sen-
tenced for tincannings came in the
way of increased retaliatory meas-
ures. Breakfasts have been refused,
beat has been cut off from cell
blocks, blankets and even mat-
tresses haye been taken away, to-
bacco allowances withheld.
Several have been badly beaten,
according to reports reaching

(@y THE floor of the House last week Capt. C. R. Bull,
Liberal member for South Okanagan, denounced attacks
on the Japanese population of British Columbia, asserting it
swasthe heisht of felly to. antasonize-a-nation we could not_

defend ourselves against without assistance.”

With Capt. Bull’s denunciation of these responsible for cur-
rent agitation against the Japanese people we can agree. Such
agitation can only play into the hands of Japanese fascist
agents who seek to isolate the Japanese people here and trans-
form them into a powerful weapon of Japanese fasicsm for
use against Canadian democracy.

But with the spirit of Capt. Bull’s remarks there ean be no
agreement. In effect, Capt. Bull is asking that the progressive
people of this prevince should not demand an investigation of
Japanese espionage because it mignt lead Japan to take re-
taliatory measures. We should, in Capt. Bull’s opinion, allow
Japanese fascist agents to undermine our democratic institu-
tions fer fear of antagonizing Japan.

It is only one step further to the fatal policy of “appease-
ment” where we not only agree to do nothing about Japanese
fascism in BC but make concessions to it.

ro)
| Bae REAL problem, denied by Capt. Bull and ignered by
George Murray, Liberal member for Lillooet, in their
speeches on the Oriental question, is that of Japanese espio-
nage and economic penetration.

The truth is that British Columbia is honeycombed with
Japanese spies and agents who dominate and intimidate all
progressive elements among the Japanese people. Japanese
fascist newspapers, published in Vanocuver, disseminate their
poison. Together, Japanese, German and Italian fascist agents
are working to undermine democratic imstitutions in this key
province on the Pacific.

At the same time, Japanese capitalist interests, working
hand-in-glove with prominent mining magnates, chief among
them Col. Nelson Spencer, leading Conservative and former
member of the provincial legislature, are gaining control of
strategically located mining and logging concessions. British
Columbia metals are feeding the Japanese war machine.

Through their political connections here, Japanese fascist
interests are wielding a political influence im this prevince,
evidenced by radio and film censorship of speeches and pic-
tures condemning Japanese aggression in China.

This is the real danger, the danger to defense of our coasts
against possible fascist aggression, the danger to the peace and
security of our people.

What action does the government mean to take to combat it?
What intention has the government of exposing, as Hon. Wells
Gray promised last year, those Canadian magnates, traitors
to Canada, who are assisting Japanese fascism in its subversive
activities in this province? :

What have the members of the ee to ey on this

ion? The le of British Columbia demand to know.
es eae THE EDITOR.

Two City Dances Will Mark
Close Of Joint Press Drive

tee’s optimistic expectations. Tick-
ets already sold for the Embassy
affair will now be honored at both
ballrooms. Refreshments will be
served at the two affairs.

A guarantee that the engasement
of the Trianon will not interfere
with arrangements was fsiven when
a group of members of the Hotel
and Restaurant Employees’ Union
volunteered to manage all details
in connection with the affair.

NTICIPATING a recoré crowd
of dancers for the forthcoming
press drive celebration at the Em-
bassy Ballroom, scheduled for |
Wednesday, November 23, the com-
mittee in charge moved this week
to engage the Trianon Ballroom
and its union orchestra to provide
additional Hoor space.
The move was made necessary by
the big advance sale of tickets
Vhich exceeded even the commit—

4 the Soviet Union.

headquarters of the Relief Project

all ,
numbering |

MATTE
IN HOUSE.

Workers’ Union. One prisoner, W.
Biggar, who was released Thursday
after serving 30 days for tincan-—
ning, was kicked and shoved down

four flights of stairs from the up-
BeD-Tanse-ap a cen bless thrown
into solitary and his clothes re-
moved. Others have also been |
roughly handled, he told
Matts, secretary of the union.
Outside groups and organiza-
tions which have attempted to aid

John |

dered by censership on news
reaching the outside. Daily papers
have Carried very little information |
on the affair, the only news being |
received through prisoners re-|
leased. |

|

(Continued on page 5)
See OAKALEA

C MEETS
GREET USSR

More than one thousand WVan-
couver citizens at the Empress
Theatre last Sunday heard Ferfus
Mckean, provincial secretary of the
Communist party, present a clear
exposition of the Soviet Union’s role
in international affairs on the oc-
casion of the 2kist anniversary of

“The Soviet Union has made
strides unequalled in all history
Since those days when the people
defended its very existence against
the armies of intervention,” Mc-
Kean declared.

“Today the Soviet Union stands,
the world’s first socialist state, se-
cure in the strength of its people,
secure in its tremendous achieve-
ments.

“The twenty - first anniversary
finds the Soviet Union a bulwark
of peace and an inspiration to the
peoples of a world threatened with

the embattled men have been hin- Expect Ficuse Batile
On Alaska Highway

| ward

|} in connection with

Bay Scab

Freed By
Court

Other Cases
Adjourned At
Powell River

POWELL RIVER, BC, Nov.
10—Trial of thirty scabs and
Pacific Lime Company officials
on charges of unlawful assembly
and intent to do grievous bodily
harm were postponed here yes-
terday to Wovember 29 after
Magistrate R. A. Sargeant had
dismissed a charge against WN.
Boldt.

Cases are being prosecuted by
the Crown on complaints laid by
the International Woodworkers
of America through its attorney,
Jehn Stanton, and arise out of
the police attack on picket lines
at Blubber Bay on September 17
when strikers were driven into
an ambush of scabs charged by
strikers to have been drunk.

Despite testimony of Crown
Witnesses that the accused Boldt
had provoked trouble with
pickets while under the influence
of liquor, Magistrate Sargent dis-
missed the case without attempt-
ing to justify his decision. Ac-
cording to observers, there was
little pretense by the court at

holding a fair trial.

Of the thirty accused, W. Dar-
ling, Nick Boldt and A. Gage face
assault charges. Twenty-seven
others including J. W. MeWeil,
@ Burroughs, CC. Searless, Ben
Minness, FE. Giampa, P. Bryan,
W. Pugh and G Howden and
several Chinese are up for unlaw-
—fil_assenibls — eis
Further hearings were post-
poned to give the union oppor-
“tunity to subpoena several wit
messes from Vancouver.

devastating war by fascist dictators
and torn by economic crises.’’
Recounting international events
of the past few years, McKean
showed how the Soviet Union alone
had followed a consistent policy
for peace, how it had exposed the
ageressive designs of the fascist
powers and stood by its treaty ob-
ligations while the fascist dictators
had dishonored their pledges even
before the ink was dry on them.
Features of a musical program
were selections by the Alpine Or-
chestra and vocal numbers by Miss
Stevie Semkovich, talented WVan-

couver soprano.

PRINCE RUPERT, BC. Nov. 10.
August Wallin, organizer in
Worthern British Columbia for the
Communist party was the speaker
at a meeting held here last Sunday
to mark the 2ist anniversary of the
Soviet Union.

NANAIMO, BC, Noy. 10: — The
2ist anniversary of the USSR was
celebrated here last Sunday by a
big meeting held in the miners’
hall. Speaker was Tom Barnard.

iy

t

VICTORIA, BG, Nov. 10:——-Mem-
bers of the legislature looked ror
to a hot debate next week
When discussion gets around to an
item in Finance Minister Hart’s
budget calling for expenditure of
$25,000 for the purpose of survey
the proposed
Conservative
to furnish
in opposi-

Alaska highway.
Members are expected
most of the arguments
tion.

Company Steoze Fails
in Plant Elections

TRAIL, BC, Nov. 10—Tim Bus-
combe, one of S S. Blaylock’s
Strongest supporters and the one
responsible for advocating that
Consolidated Mining and Smelting
Company distribute copies of the
magazine MWiberty, was defeated
badly for re-election to the Work
men’s Cooperative Committee in
the recent plant elections.

URU YCE
EXPELLED
BY PARTY

A new appeal for civic elec-
tion unity and simultaneous
announcement on the expulsion
of Alex Fordyce from member-
ship in the Communist Party
was made Thursday by Fergus
McKean, party provincial sec-
retary, in a statement to the
press.

Fordyce’s expulsion was made
public as a result of his action in
filing nomination papers as inde-
pendent candidate for alderman.

“The move has only created
further confusion and objectively
Strengthened the position of the
Non-Partisan Association,” sMc-
Kean stated in outlinin g his
party’s attitude toward the civic
elections. “In filing nomination
Papers, Fordyce represents no
one but himself, and cannot be
too strongly condemned. For this
reason, we are compelled to ex
pel him from the ranks of the
Communist party.”

Referring to the central issue of
the coming campaisn—election of
@ progressive civic administration
by defeating the candidates of bit
business, MeKean emphasized this
objective was only possible if all
labor-prosressives cooperated by
Supporting a common prosram and
Slate.

“We sincerely hope the CGE sill

recosmize this fact,” he Said, in
expressing resret at that party's
Stubborn insistence on “goine= it

alone.” “It is to be hoped they will
reopen the question before it is
too late to cooperate with other
Stoups who aiso wish to secure
the election of a progressive ad=
miinistration,” he added.

Tne conference of labor and pro-
Sressive eroups which recently
nominated candidates and adopted
a program of civic reform was 2
laudable move which should serve
to unite and involve their member-
ship. in municipal affairs, the

| Party secretary stated. In this, he

Said, the Communist party is
Pledged to give full support to any
Sroup seeking to defeat the Non-
Partisan Association.

“Our organization will continue
its efforts to secure maximum
participation of labor-prosressives
in the coming civic elections and
avoid a split in the progressive
vote, the main condition to elec-
tion of a civic administration that
will really serve the small business
and homeowner of Vancouver,” he
concluded.

No real change in the pre-elec-
tion set-up was apparent this
week as the various groups made

(Continued on page 6.) ~

See ELECTIONS

Drive Enters

Last Lap

As $2,000 Mark Passed |

British Columbia’s October
of the campaign this weel=k with
committees throughout

In order to reach the quota with-
in the time limit, revenues must
reach $68 daily, Campaign Manager
William Ravenor pointed out, add. |
ing that this objective seemed as-
sured by the fact that daily re-
ceipts during the past week had
averaged $72.

Standing throughout the prov-
ince show Worthern BC still in
the lead with 70.3 percent: dis-
trict organizations at 69.2; South-
ern Mainland 68.3: Greater Wan-
couver 65.8; Vancouver Island at
60.1 percent.

Wihile Vancouver

island stanas

| fifth, Drive Leader Malcolm Mec-

Leod pointed to the recent achieve-
ment of the various Island com-
mittees in jumpins from the for-
mer position at an even 33 percent.
He explained the apparent lage of
the Island committees by the fact
that funds already raised had been |

| held back ito finance costs of com-

|

|

ing events which were expected to
beost revenues “so that Vancouver
island may yet top the list when
the final scores are tallied.”

In Greater Vancouver, Drive Sup- }

press drive entered the last lap

$2051.21 of its $3000 total, and

the province got down to work for the
final push to bring in the 5950 needed to

go over the top.

ervisor Phil Gibbens has announced
award of a trophy to the commit—
tee having the best score when re—
sults are tabulated.

Grandview, with

129 percent,

| heads all committees in Vancouver

district. Manager Ravenor ex
Plains this excellent standings as
due to wide collective effort. For
example, the sub-committee of sea-
men, numbering twelve members,
has turned in not less than $3 per
member and a large number of sub—
Scriptions. Domestic workers have
alse gone over the top.

Vancouver Center, which two
weeks back was leading the parade,
now stands in second place at 1032
percent, but Drive Leader Sidnye
Dove is determined to catch up
With Grandview to win the coveted
Vancouver trophy. This means get-
ting down to work and raising an-—
other $100, but they believe they
Can do it, and Grandview will re_
quire all its resources to hold first
place.

{Continued on page 5)
See DERIVE-

ae